Storm slams parts of US, causing collisions, deaths
A storm of snow, freezing rain and bone-chilling temperatures socked the nation’s midsection and East Coast on Saturday, causing hundreds of collisions on icy roads and putting a crimp on Christmas shopping.
At least six deaths were blamed on the slick roads and authorities were investigating a few other traffic fatalities as possibly weather-related.
Perhaps the biggest crash happened in Baltimore, when a tanker carrying gasoline skidded off a highway and exploded, authorities said.
Hospital officials said nearly two dozen people were treated for injuries including broken bones and head trauma.
Airports reported hundreds of flight delays or cancellations, interstates and toll roads reduced speed limits and authorities urged drivers to use extreme caution.
The roads were so slick that authorities had to move motorists stranded on an overpass with a ladder.
In Nebraska, Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies said one person was killed Friday night when his car slid off an icy road north of Omaha, hit a tree and burst into flames.